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Flat tire keeps Prince Fielder from game

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The long road trips and casual nature of spring training can create unusual situations, and today it prevented Prince Fielder from playing in a Grapefruit League game. Fielder, the

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The long road trips and casual nature of spring training can create unusual situations, and today it prevented Prince Fielder from playing in a Grapefruit League game.

Fielder, the Detroit Tigers first baseman , was supposed to make the trip from Lakeland to Tradition Field, but he got a flat tire, so Matt Tuiasosopo got the start at first base against the New York Mets.

Players often will drive their own cars to road games, rather than take the team bus.

"Prince had a big-time flat tire on the turnpike, and they could only put one of those little tires on that's good for 50 miles. He wasn't sure he could make it down and back on that tire, so I told him to stay home," Leyland said. "He got up on the turnpike by Orlando, so he wasn't very far away. He called once to say that he'd broken down and had called somebody to take care of it. When he called again, they came out, but they only put that little tire on.

"I didn't want to take a chance. He'll probably go to Jupiter" on Saturday.

Leyland previously had said that Miguel Cabrera and Fielder would make one of the two long trips Thursday and Saturday.

Leyland also said he wants to see Shawn Hill pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Justin Verlander will pitch in a minor league game in Lakeland that day.